Key / pressure marks in the Vaio Z screen?

Hi, is this still a problem these days? I mean, does the keyboard press into the screen when the laptop is closed and inside a bookbag and leave permanent marks on the screen that are not erasable?

What is the fix for this or is this something that Vaio Z owners live with?

Thanks!

 

Sony includes a microfibre cloth you have to put betwenn lid and keyboard.

I haven't seen a notebook which doesn't have this effect if you press too hard on the lid.

TDO

 

Well the same thing was happening with the T line all the time, so it's not gonna change. That's the price for ultra thin screen...

 

Hi,
I just received the VGP-FL14 privacyilter i bought only t protect the screen from scratch and fingerprints (since im working in architecture office and customer use to put finger everywhere on the screen).

Just a pain to install, because of the very small tabs but the filter is really good protection against the keyboard print. The notice adviced that the filter can be in place when the lid is closed.
Only minor the screen looks a bit different first and bonus people sitting next to you wont seen the screen.

 

This is still a problem with the Vaio Z series. I have just spent over £2.5k on a top of the range Z series notebook, and after just a month of use, and even though I took great care in the storage when traveling with the device's lid closed, I still get marks from the keyboard keys and from the raised edge between the keyboard and touchpad. I even contacted Sony about this issue because it's left marks I can't get rid of, and they took it in to the repair center, only to call me to say it was due to "excessive pressure" after they'd run some "tests" and that I'd need to pay to have the screen replaced. All this is obviously utter BS. I tried using the cloth they provide to protect the screen when closing the lid, but it's just not practical, I can't always be expected to carry this around.

I've noticed other issues with poorly designed chassis on this device too (the front left next to the SD and MS Slot creaks and clicks at the joints when pressure is applied, giving it a very cheap feel) and does anyone else have problems exosing the RJ45 network slot?? I bite my nails so they're pretty short, but whilst I have no issues exposing the RJ11 modem slot, the RJ45 seems impossible for me unless I use a flat head screwdriver!! The cover under the laptop for the docking station connection seems to open very easily too (doesn't click shut properly).

It's difficult to find people online who might have the same problems, as not many have purchased this notebook...

 

I don't have problem using the cloth, so after more than a year everyday carrying around I don't have any marks on the screen.

It creaked and clicked as well, till my second exchange of HDD (SSD), probably it's just needed to tight the screws. I don't have problem to open RJ45 slot and docking station slot is opened all the time. But I still love this laptop

 

I use my Z51WG/B in an Architectural environ also, and have bought and fitted the FL14 Privacy Filter. It's a thick plastic filter with tiny tabs that locate into the tiny gaps built into the Z series screen frame (four along the top and two in the bottom twe corners). It's perhaps half a millemetre thick and protects the screen pretty well from dust dirt and finger grime, as well as receiving any pressure from the keyboard. If I ever felt so inclined, I'd just replace the privacy filter in the future, comfortable in the knowledge that my screen remains pristine. I still use the microfibre cloth as well because it makes for a good mousemat on fabric surfaces if I need it, and I carry the Microsoft 5000 bluetooth mouse (no wires, no dongle, just a ting flick of the switch on the mouse).

As to tint, the privacy filter does dim the screen slightly, but nothing I've noticed, and it is designed to reduce the viewing angle down to 60 degrees from 170 degrees (hence the 'privacy' in the title).

As regards the clicky 'cheap' feel of the chassis, I have noticed what undrop79 describes, but not in the location he describes it. For me it is a spot on the left of the laptop immediately above the vent. I'm guessing each chassis has it's own peccadilos.

 

When you get it back, try iClean from Monster Cable. It works like magic.

 

Ripoff brand.

 

Their cables may be, but not their screen cleaner. It makes my screen as if it were fresh from the factory.

 

I travel alot with the Z... On inspection, my lid is slightly 'warped' - it ain't 'straight', rather it is concaved away from the keyboard slightly. Though with enough applied pressure the screen touches the keyboard... My guess is the lid has slightly warped over time with excessive use.

I also have the clicking issue between the aluminium palm-rest and HDD indicator. It does give the Z a cheap feeling, despite the fact I paid over $2000US exactly a year ago now.

My Z26 has 3x permanent bruises on the screen. How they occured - no idea. I kept my Z on me desk during the first 2 months of its life, and it appeared during then. 2x marks you can see clearly when at an angle - not much of an issue. 1x is a circle, about 3pixels in diameter, quite visible when looking at the screen head-on. Although not dead, they darken what-ever they are display, and me editing alot of photos... They don't look pretty on a $2000US machine...

I also have 4 small dots - they are more like unremovable scratches and they are due to the keyboard (well, they seem to be).

Don't get me wrong - I treat my Z with the utmost highest respect. The screen, I treat it like I bloody worship the thing. I never EVER touch it (and tell that to whoever is near the Z), and this happens... I just get a micro-cloth that I bought for abut $5US from a shop and give the screen a light 'skimming' to take off the dust.

I've got one more year worth of warranty left on this, and planning on taking into service centre here a month before it expires. Hopefully it will get a new screen replacement then without getting a battering from service...

All in all, this is probably my first and last Sony. They make real good machines with nice performance, though I just really dislike how all their high-end models are so fragile (the TZ, the Z, and lord-forbid, the new X series...)

 

I still don't think that when you buy a laptop, you should be subjected to carrying around a cloth to prevent the screen from touching the screen, again, on a "high-end" notebook, this is pretty pathetic.

Not sure about the privacy film filter either. I don't really need my display to be obscured, and would rather basque in the glory of the display without filters, but preferably without marks too...

Thanks for the suggestion hendra, I'll try iClean, but I have told Sony that if they don't replace the marked screen, I want them to take the device back and refund me in full instead (I've had the damn thing less than a month).

5ushi Monster, I have a bad feeling that Sony won't replace your screen (if my experience is anything to go by). I'm in disputes with them at the moment as they're refusing to replace mine which has barely been traveled with and is already showing these symptoms. If you have any luck however, be sure to let me know.

I already have the 256GB SSD installed but still get the clicking on the front, and by the sound of it, it's a common design flaw, as others have it in the same place (front left, above the vent grill, left of the MS and SD slot).

 

Agreed and that is a design issue. I am seriously looking at picking up a Z and frankly have no intention whatsoever, to carry an extra cloth along with me all the time.

I have never carried a cloth in the past and don't intend to do so in the future, to get around a fundamental design limitation. In fact, carrying a cloth around all the time to protect the laptop's screen, sounds a bit cheesy, to be quite blunt.

 

The Z26 (2nd gen) didn't come with the cloth. The Z3 and onwards now do. The really annoying part is that they want the older Z users to pay $8US for a piece of cloth that supposedly comes INCLUDED with the newer Z. Shouldn't they at least be supplying us older users with those for free? (not that I want one ^_^*)

They are obviously including it for the newer buyers because of the recent complaints (made by the older users mind you). So why charge the older users when it should be Sony taking the brunt? Personally, it should Sony that should be giving US the money for the junk design flaws that THEY passed through.

I bought the Z at a Sony Style store. They were giving out a year extra worth of warranty (thus 2 years total) so I didn't think of buying elswwhere. There were no fine-prints for it, just that it extends the standard 1 year warranty to 2 years. So I guess that covers the LCD as well (and the battery too for that matter). I'll take it to service in Nov 2010 so I'll let people know how I get on then.
From what I read here, Sony usually contracts out other companies to fix VAIOs and they usually do a poor job (ie, scratching the machine while taking apart, and sometimes not even putting it together properly)

I've been to Sony support before for a problematic Walkman (another facility, up the road to Sony Style here in NZ) and their service was extremely UNFRIENDLY.

In the end, I'm quite disappointed that the same issues still exist in the newer 4th and 5th gen Z. Kinda hoping that the refresh, whenever that will come along, will fix them out (and introduce a wave of others).

[shudder]...

 

I have to agree, Sony support sucks in all countries including Japan. I would say, the support in Japan sucks the most from my experience.

On the other hand, complaining about Z, that the marks are it's design flaw is simply not right. Why? Because it's a well known issue with all super thin screen notebooks from Sony. My 1st generation Sony TX (many years older than Z) has exactly the same problem. You could call it design flaw, but Sony is obviously OK with it. You could choose high end machine from Lenovo and you'll get sturdy thick screen or the one from Sony and you'll get thin flexible screen. Both of them have it's pros and cons. I chose Sony and the same day I've ordered my nb I've also ordered Radtech cloth.

 

Sony need to work on this. The TT series is the only Sony laptop i have used that didn't have this problem. I have no idea what they did differently with that. Hopefully with the Z refresh they will iron out this problem. Using a cloth is a makeshift solution but it is by no means ideal.

 

I'd be interested to know the outcome of this 5ushiMonster. Mine is also within the standard warranty period (I've only had it for 1 month, and it was also purchased through Sony Style, so the terms of the warranty should match yours).

The engineer (who as you mentioned was a 3rd party repair center) told me over the phone that they had done tests and claimed that the screen had received excessive pressure causing it to touch the keys (utter BS) and claimed that due to this, it was not covered by the standard warranty. If I wanted it fixed/replaced, Sony would charge me for it. After emailing Sony Customer Support to complain about this, the response I got was:

"With regard to the marks on the screen. I have consulted our engineers and they have informed me that this should not occur through normal use of the VAIO.That is why it has been diagnosed as out of warranty and a quote was issued for this."

I agree with your comments about the cloth too, but before considering offering a cloth free of charge, they should have fixed the issue before the refresh or newer models if they're aware of the problem.

Not sure I agree with your comments however Metsn. I'd rather have a better build of notebook that doesn't have these flaws than one that gets damaged whenever I close the lid just have a slightly smaller/lighter device. I don't think that you should have to accept this at all, and the cloth solution still seems ludicrous to me, whether it's given for free, or if you have to buy it.

I've seen the TT before, but will need to look closer next time at the screen to see how the design differs. I'd definately be interested to see what changes have been made on this model to solve the problem, as I'm pretty sure that this model was brought out at the same time as my VGNZ55X.

 

The Z505 and and V505 didn't have this problem.

The SZ certainly does.
When I remember I try to take a ultra thin Alsop mousepad to stick I there. At least it's useful.

 

@undrop79
Only Sony Style New Zealand offers a +1 year warranty extension. You will have to have bought it in New Zealand (and take it to the Khyber Pass support building, just up the road to the Newmarket SonyStyle) to use that extra year.

Strange - I thought support was rather on the good-side in Japan with Sony.
I can't really confirm (only had friends test the Japanese support out).

I know for certain Samsung Korea and their SENS and MagicStation lineup is really, really INTENSELY (and insanely) good in regards to service and after-service.

And yeah - I expect Sony to actually FIX the LCD flex problem over them giving out pieces of cloth to us older users... I love my Z, just its 'fragility' puts me off buying another Sony again.

 

I've owned a Vaio Z since the very first day it was released in the UK.
I paid good price for it.

I transport it during the week in a laptop case to use for mobile working.
Only a few months after purchase I spotted a few scratch lines around the center of the screen, around where the screen when flexed would touch the raised palmrest. In addition to this, there were about 10 small (around 3mm in diameter) bruise marks on the screen that can be seen when displaying a white background or by looking at the screen at an angle.
I sent the laptop for repair to Sony saying that I took care of my Vaio Z and that I expected better from Sony.
They replaced the screen under warranty, they returned the repaired laptop with a microfibre cloth suggesting it was a good idea to slip it between the keyboard and the screen.

Then at most 6 months after, the bruise marks started re-appearing again, this time no scratched display as I now always use the cloth. Sony again, replaced the display under warranty, although the new screen shows substantial light bleed I'm not complaining too much as I didn't have to pay for it.

Now it's about 2 months since I got the Z back and the bruise marks are again showing up *again*. So I've decided to shop for a replacement laptop and recently purchased a SR59 to replace the Z (only to find out today that a redesigned Z is coming out soon! Grrr).


So my conclusion is simple : Sony has done a poor job with the display and should have used a stiff material, any flex on the lid/display will result in a damage screen, it's a design fault.
In addition to this, I was not impressed with other parts of the chassis such as the slightly flimsy battery attachment, the fragile chassis around the SD card reader and the paint in the hinge which comes off very easily.

I'd rather want Sony put in another 300g to make the Z chassis worthwhile of an ultra mobile rather than chasing the lightest laptop crown and end up with a laptop you've got to be extremely careful with whenever you even lift it off your desk.

 

Anyone have any idea if the new Z series coming out in February (announced at CES) has fixed all these issues? (Bendy screen, Flimsy Battery compartment, creaking chassis on left of SD card slot)?

 

The screen pressure marks are a design flaw and more or less have led me to believe that we're now pushing the boundaries of how useful a thin/light laptop can be. I did not really care about build quality and only went by weight b/c I didn't want to carry anything heavier than I had to. Well, I never cared that much about build quality until I had a Sony SZ and Z that were built like glass. My prior laptops were thicker and so they were just sturdier in many ways than this Sony just from having more plastic I guess, but they were alot heavier. I won't buy a flimsy screen anymore. The x301 from Lenovo is thin and sturdy but they put an absurdly poor screen in it. The search goes on.

 

Ordered a CTO S-Series and if I'm lucky it will get delivered this week.
Guess what, my Z is again showing signs of bruise marks to the point that it's really annoying.
I'm going for the third time contact Sony Support and see if they can repair it, in addition to this I've got two dead pixels and the current screen they fitted is not very uniform with some "waves" showing at the bottom of the screen.
Wish me luck.

 

Good luck!

 

I'm in Korea (for work purposes plus the fact that I'm a Korean whos been living in New Zealand since the age of three), and I thought I'd phone up Sony Korea's VAIO division to find out how their service was.

Basically, I told them I bought my Z26 in New Zealand, the LCD is suffering marks and bruises which honestly were caused through normal everyday use (not misuse), and I'm within Sony NZ's 2 year warranty.
Sony Korea told me that they are able to REPLACE the LCD since they too sell the Z26 here, but at a cost of about US$400. Basically, they can't honour the warranty since the Z26 was bought from another country.

That plus, my Z had some darkened pixels showing ever since it was 4 months old, and they recently have been getting darker, about 10 pixels in diameter and clearly visible on light-coloured images. And me being a clueless nut back then, plus the fact that I was busy with university work, couldn't take the Z into service.

Though the pixels in question now are EXTREMELY annoying when I type in Word or watch movies. I'm planning on going to Sony's New Zealand service centre as soon as I'm back, but have a few questions for the people reading this ( regardless of what country you reside in):


1. If you take in your Z under warranty and they inspect and deem it faulty because of misuse, do they charge you for the inspection? (I'll probably argue and not pay if it comes down to that, but just curious)

2. If you take in your Z when it's say 4 months old, and it has a 1 year warranty, if they fix (or inspect) your Z, will the remaining 8 months of your warranty be void or will it resume EXCEPT for the part that was replaced (or inspected)?

3. What's the warranty period for the replaced part?

4. In my case, Sony Style added an extra years worth of warranty for free. My Z thus has a 2 year warranty, and it is 1 year 2 months old. If the warranty does go completely void after the service, should I just wait out the warranty till JUST BEFORE it finishes, or go fix it now?

5. Was your replaced part NEW or REFURBISHED?

6. How long did your LCD replacement take?


Cheers in advance.

PS - the irony is, I also brought with me two broken Samsung GSM phones (Korea uses CDMA) because they were too expensive to fix in NZ (looking at US$300 for both to be fixed), and Samsung Korea here fixed both of them for free. And it only took 3 hours for both of them...

 

These marks on the screen that some people get are there because they can't be bothered protecting the screens of their laptops. They happen on practically every single laptop on the market to some degree or other, and are particularly present on laptops below 4 kilos. This is a classic fault that has been present on Macbooks and Macbook Pros ever sice they were launched, and if you ask any owner of a IBM X200/300, the Sony S and X Series over the past five years, and God knows how many others, they will tell you the same.

If you don't protect your screen the keys will transfer and image onto them. How thick do you have to be not to understand this? You're folding the screen down onto the keyboard!

If this is an issue, buy a screen protector or buy a desktop computer. Don't complain that you bought a product and you can't be bothered caring for or protecting it. It deffinately isn't a design flaw or a fault. Maybe the sales guy didn't bother asking the buyer for proof of their inteligence level, but that's about as far as you can go. If a buyer doesn't understand what they are buying and can't get their little brains around modern technology and it's design limits, then they shouldn't really be taking responsibility for their own finances let alone making critical financial decision. They'll be complaining that they bought their mobile phones and can't get them to work in buildings or on the underground next.

If Sony replace a screen for transfer imprints, I'll stop buying Sony products, because a company that will waste money and resources on stupid people will be taking that money from research and development or quality, and I can't trust a company that puts idiots before it's competitive edge.

My suggestion if you have an issue with image transfer and can't be arsed protecting your product: Go buy Acer or Packard Bell. They aren't very good but then you probably won't notice.

 

Actually I have only had these keyboard pressure marks on a Vaio before not on mac, dells, hps, lenovos. It makes sense that the Vaio Z needs one b/c the screen is so thin. But still they should just go ahead and tell people that if you don't use it, on this laptop you will get permanent impressions etched into your screen. Sort of like if you don't use premium fuel, don't blame us if your engine quits working. Or they should just use a more rigid screen.

 

More rigid, more weight. And it doesn't always work. My husband has a Dell XPS, which is way more rigid (and heavier) and he started getting the same marks. Unlike sony who now provides a protector, he had to make one. We have microfiber cloths, so he cut one down to fit his screen. Problem solved and he didn't complain about it. He pretty much realized what was going on and fixed it.

 

I had the marks on my S2XP and I learnt my lesson.

My wife has the same on her old Freevent and now has them on her Macbook.
It's a common problem that occurs with all manufacturers. The easiest way to tell is to go into PC World (UK), CompUSA or Best Buy and look at the models on display. If they've been out for months and they don't have those rigid wire frames around them, you'll be able to see if the screen and keyboards meet. The most common marks are from the space bar, Alt and Alt Gr keys, however on my wife's Macbook which she's had for a year now, she has almost a complete keyboard imprint in the LCD.

People who find this a shock and then whinge about it really seem quite ignorant of the modern world. I can only assume it's either their age and their first adventure into laptops, or that they really are educationally challenged.

 

Really? I have used laptops since the early suitcase sized Compaq luggables. I have had IBM/Lenovo, Dell, Sony, Asus laptops and have never had this issue. I believe it is sloppy design to allow the most visually important part of a laptop to be damaged through perfectly ordinary use.

I do not consider myself educationally challenged. I'm reasonably familiar with the moden world.

But of course if everyone just shrugs and says it's educationally challenged users to blame and not poor design, the manufacturers won't feel any need to resolve the problem.

 

But Sony VAIO designers are aware that this is an issue. Why is it they are incorporating a rubber strip across the top of the screen and raising the level of the palm rest to create more space between the keys and the screen if it wasn't ? It is an issue and should be the needed fix with the new Z. I bought into it knowing the issue and just use the cloth. No big deal. It is what it is.

 

Makes me wonder if you can shim the hinges a little and put a rubber strip along the edge of the screen or palm rest to raise it a touch, preventing the problem. Might only add a mm or so, but that is all it needs.

 

I don't think u could shim up the hinges,however a rubber strip along the edge could work but it would look strange I guess.

On my TZ I use a microfiber and when moving it around I always grab by the battery.Besides I don't add anything else to my bag to avoid pressure against
screen

 

Actually, the lid on the Z is made "warped". I carefully inspected my Z690 CTO upon unboxing, and I have noticed the lid being concaved away from the keyboard. I think this is just a subtle design detail that increases the Stress (force/area) that the lid can withstand before touching the keyboard.

Given that, we all know that it doesn't take much force to press the screen to the keyboard. Believe me, during the first month of owning my Z (within the no-question-asked return period from sonystyle.com), I really did try to "abuse" my Z in various areas that people were complaining about. The result? The Z, at least the one I received, hadn't and still haven't shown any signs of trouble or bad build quality (no squeaking above the front vent/ SD card slot either.) Knock on wood.

Funny that you mentioned it. I also use a Radtech cloth for my Z. The microfiber cloth from Radtech is rather expensive at $14 USD, but so far, it seems to be doing its job pretty well. Being a college student, I carry my Z in a SwissGear backpack to school everyday. And being a college student, I also carry notebooks, 3 ring binders, and 5 pound textbooks along with the Z in my backpack daily. I know for a fact that there's pressure exerted onto the lid because there are always marks on the microfiber cloth, left there by the rubber bumpers on the lid and sometimes the keyboard. However, after almost a year of usage (I purchased the Z last Feb.), I have yet to see any bruise marks on the screen.

Having read the thread, I have to say that either Radtech makes DAMN good microfiber cloth, or Metsn and I are just exorbitantly lucky...

Back to orgo review...


PS, forgot to mention, I've seen Macbook Pros with screen bruise marks and dented Unibodies. In addition, Lenovo thinkpads also have keyboard, especially trackpoint, marks on the screen, but they are not severe enough to cause bruise marks.

 

Same experience, I'm also college student while working, flying between Japan/Czech rep. 2-3 times a year...everything's quite hard test for the Z, but even after more than one year of use it still looks like new...if I clean the dust on keyboard

 

LOL, same here for the keyboard.

 

I transport my Z (very first edition) in a rather expensive knomo laptop briefcase (£140). I don't store too many other things on the briefcase but sometimes there is my wallet and mp3 player that may put pressure on the lid.
The Z is then itself protected inside the expensive (can't remember the name) leather pouch (nearly £80!).

This time round I was extremely careful with the laptop, yet still after a few weeks those damn bruise marks started appearing, again right in the middle of the screen.

One might say that you have to be careful with your laptop, that's all very well but I am sure this design ended costing a lot of money to Sony.
For instance, how can Sony prove it's the customer not being careful or the lid not being stiff enough ? In most cases, there is nothing to show the laptop has been dropped or anything, so Sony has then to replace the lid under warranty.
Costly design mistake if you ask me.

 

First, this is mean.
Secondly, somebody who pays a premium for a laptop should expect something that lasts.
After the first scratches occurred only a few weeks, I was actually scared of lifting the laptop like you do with any other laptop and was always careful of lifting it from the lid side.
Add to this peeling paint and squeaky chassis this is not good enough for Sony.
A MBP, even an Air, ok lighter and with far less specs, is way stiffer than a Z. I lifted one from a shop very recently and I was amazed about how solid the whole thing felt.

I've had other laptops and only the Z caused me trouble with the lid during a normal usage.
Again like I just said on a different post, Sony will have a hard time to prove customers they're not doing things right (where is it mentioned in the Z doc how to "correctly" lift/transport it?) so this will I am sure have ended into a rather expensive fault.

 

I agree his post was a little over the top and mean, but this is not costing sony a ton. First, they do not replace most screens with this issue. Many people on here have said Sony would not replace their screen. Also, they have included a cloth in the more recent models of the Z, which you are suposed to put between your keys and screens that should prevent this. So if you don't put the cloth there, well that gets them out of replacing it.

As I said earlier, this same thing is happening with my husband's Dell, so it is more than just Sony. But Sony is trying to make an effort to fix it, but it is a part of having a light laptop, and there are things that the engineers have not figured out yet and may never. But we will see if the new Z design works a little better.

 

Sorry, but this is wrong.

I have two older Sony models of similar size and weight that do NOT have this problem. The problem is using a flexible screen. Both of my older models are VERY stiff being that they use magnesium for the chassis. One model is nearly 10 years old and the same or thinner than an SZ or Z. The other is almost as thin.

The problem is packaging.

It used to be you had to have a stiff screen backing to protect the CFL's, with LED you don't need this and the screen can now flex and be thinner. They could still make a stiff, thin top that doesn't have this issue.

 

The lid of the Z is pretty unique, I've never seen such a design anywhere else so that's normal some of us would suspect Sony to have gone a bit too far on the lightweight department.

Anyone seen that video of thieves stealing some Macbook Airs by lifting them by their lids only while on display at an Apple store ?
If they did that to Vaio Zs their heist would have been worthless

 

Peeling paint! Eh?! Where abouts?
Is this the Sony Z Series? Are you sure it's genuine?

 

Yes, peeling paint from the barrel hinge.
Started a few weeks ago. I'm not sure it's peeling per so, it just happens that it deteriorates very quickly. On my first Z, it took about 5 months to get very noticeable, then on my second repair I asked them if they could replace the hinge because the paint was rather unsightly and they replaced it but not under warranty.
Once the hinge was replaced, only a few weeks later the same thing started happening again and decided to stick one of those iPhone display protectors.
The place where it's peeling is on the hinge in full view during normal usage either side of the Sony logo at the bottom of the display.
You might ask I'm not being careful with my laptop in which case I would really like to know what triggers this thing.
In case you ask, I always transport my Z on the most expensive purpose built case for the Z, the $150 RRP VGP-CKZ2.

 

So the chrome effect is wearing away or flaking away?
I've never heard of that one before, Is this quite common?
I'm curious about the environment you live/work in.

I'm in construction and my Z regularly picks up a fine layer of dust/dirt/cement whatever. Nothing wet, but maybe corrosive. I bought the Z specifically on the back of three years usage out of an S2XP which never failed and remained looking brand spanking new it's entire working life. My only concession to the need to specially protect my laptop was buying the Privacy Filter which keeps the construction muck on the whole off of the screen. Some still leaks behind it, but I clean it maybe once a week. So when I bought the new Z the first thing I bought was the VGP-FL14 for my screen. I live and work in a cold environment. Your paint flaking is the first I've heard of on a Sony laptop.

Alternatively, maybe like with motor cars, they produce different quality products for different markets.

 

Yes, the genuine Z peels. For me, the wrist rest is peeling, and no, it's not even where the stickers were.
The problem is a design flaw - nothing that is rubbed against should ever have a painted finish.

 

With Sony, yes, unfortunately. I have a UX that's half white by now, because the silver paint has rubbed off over time. And a PSP with the same problem with the "metal" trim that isn't metal at all.
I have no doubt it'll happen to my Z too -- after all, the handrest has already started to peel.

 

@mbassoc2003
As stated by those previously, you were a wee bit mean.
We as Z users (and you'll agree) pay a premium for the Z. And by paying that premium, we expect alot more 'laptop' out of the Z than other laptops on the market with lower price tags.

And no, I'm not challenged. I bought the Z for the sole purpose of CAD and video editing on AC, while at the same time having a mobile and light-weight machine that will have a decent battery life (at least, on paper) that I could use while word processing and using outlook while on the move (the intel card being the bonus for me, as with many other Z owners here)

Before buying the Z, I researched and looked around numerous stores and models for about a month during my lunch breaks at work and uni. I finally settled on the Z because it ticked all my requirements. And yes, I was aware with the pressure issues and possiblity of bruising the screen while carrying the Z (read alot about it with the first gen Z and the TZ series). I did, and still do, use a cloth which I bought seperately. Though it took the Z 4 months for something to look off on the LCD. And during the first four months of its life it was solely used on my desk (as my work made people stay in during then; economic downfall), in a locked room. Nothing was placed upon it, and nobody else touched it. It just appeared and got gradually worse. And me being busy, I wasn't able to take it to service to rectify the issue. From what I understand, it will take about a week or so for the replacement, which will impact on my work even if I do have a desktop PC...

Well, personally I didn't think the brusing and marks would get any worse (though it did). My older Samsung R45; it took it 2 years to start getting 2 dead pixels.

So I think it is unfair that you call some Z users uneducated. There maybe some people here, yes. But for some others like myself, I use the Z with the utmost care (as its price tag demands), yet it still suffers issues that it really shouldn't be suffering. What you are saying is like stating a good driver is uneducated and is a dutz if his new Mercedes suddenly breaks down on the highway. It wasn't his fault - the car broke down, likely due to a fault from the factory. Ok - factories and corps make mistakes. Though with Sony the faults is widespread (Five generations worth of the Z and the best they could do was include pieces of cloth from the 3rd gen onwards)... And it's slightly reassuring to see the design change with the new Z, but that's pending user opinions.

Plus, it is slightly disappointing that notebooks in the Z's class (MacBook Pro for one) demands such extra care. It's just more steps for the end user with a higher pricetag. Though as the new Z's redesign tells me, I'm slightly more optimistic that future models won't be suffering as much.

 

The chrome paint is wearing away.
Starts with with very little areas of paint coming off then it's more and more until it's not very pretty.
I am in IT and AFAIK don't subject it to warrant paint wearing off after a couple of weeks of regular usage.
Who knows it might be the Sony case that rubs the hinge ?

 

Indeed.
I believe high gloss paints tend to me much more resistant to wear than others, the paint Sony used on the hinge and buttons is mat.
Or maybe they should go the aluminium or any other metal machined route for parts that are rubbed often.

 

Well in that case I got lucky till now...carrying Z every single day and still
no sign of peeling off anywhere.